Netscape WorkshopWhether Netscape?

Alan Silverman

HEPiX, JLAB

October 31st,2000

The Background

• CERN is deploying Windows 2000 using SMS and MSI - see Alberto Pace’s talk.

• Netscape is not packaged for this, will it be?

• Netscape is the currently-recommended mail agent for Windows users and the current recommended browser for UNIX

• What is Netscape’s future direction?

Why Netscape?• Image - ‘Netscape is one of the most used apps in NICE; it

actually works (mostly) just fine on W2000; now we are suggesting to drop it!!!’

• Consistent message - not so long ago we recommended Quickmail on Windows; then Netscape; now Outlook? If you had to change your VCR that often…

• Avoid user retraining - it may not (seem to) be much effort but we computer professionals often under-estimate this

• Consistency between UNIX and Windows - does this matter; to how many people, is Netscape really still valid even for UNIX?

And the Cons• No support (today) from Netscape for proper

Windows 2000 packaging - HEP could invest this but does it make sense? Including ongoing support, new versions,...

• Will Mozilla (now Netscape 6) ever really get off the ground, and will it be packaged?

• We’ll need Explorer for other Windows needs (unless DoJ eventually succeeds) and adding a second browser adds a layer of complication

Future of Netscape Corp

• Does it still care about the browser?

• Seems not interested in offering support for it - does not accept an offer to buy support!

And the Question?

CERN is discussing what to do.

What are other labs doing?